Why people buy iPad/iPP when they can get it for free signing up mobile plan?

[Alch3mist]

But what is the monthly cost of your iPad data plan? I assume you have mobileshare for the phone, but they charge extra to add a device. From what I’ve read, this is in the $10 to $20 range, depending on what kind of mobileshare plan you have. You know that AT&T is not really “giving” you a $560 device for $440, so they must be getting it through the recurring monthly data charges.

You said that you didnt plan to use much cellular data, and I am the same way. That’s why I ended up buying the iPad outright and using pre-paid data. Those monthly charges add up over time!

The $10/mth (That I have mentioned above) is the reoccurring charge for 1G of data. If I ever use it up I will tether to my phone which is on an unlimited plan. It would not be a Deal if I paid the full $560. For Clarity, I am also paying a $40 (one time and ludicrous) activation fee. My cost to own will be $480. I am not bragging because I see the draw backs. By the time I am done paying on this it will be 2020 and I will have a very OLD iPad. for me saving the $80 bucks was worth it. I am sure there will be $100+ savings out there soon but I wanted the iPhone SE as well and the combo package makes it worth it...for me.

 

[Boyd01]

Sorry to be dense, but I spent quite awhile looking into my options from AT&T recently and I’m not sure if I understand you. Are you saying that the $10/month is the installment payment on the device AND the cost of the data plan? I thought that it was just the installment payment. Then there would be an additional monthly cost to add the iPad to your data plan. Or perhaps there is no monthly cost if you get a more expensive data plan?

Would just be curious to see what your monthly bill looks like when you get it. I have one iPhone on AT&T with a 2GB data plan and 2gb of “bonus data” that can’t be shared. On my bill it shows $30 for data and $40 for “access”, with a $15 discount so my total bill is $55/mo before taxes/fees. Depending on who I chose to believe, it would have gone up to either $65/mo or $75/mo if I added an iPad (plus an “activation fee”).

 

[Alch3mist]

Sorry to be dense, but I spent quite awhile looking into my options from AT&T recently and I’m not sure if I understand you. Are you saying that the $10/month is the installment payment on the device AND the cost of the data plan? I thought that it was just the installment payment. Then there would be an additional monthly cost to add the iPad to your data plan. Or perhaps there is no monthly cost if you get a more expensive data plan?

Would just be curious to see what your monthly bill looks like when you get it. I have one iPhone on AT&T with a 2GB data plan and 2gb of “bonus data” that can’t be shared. On my bill it shows $30 for data and $40 for “access”, with a $15 discount so my total bill is $55/mo before taxes/fees. Depending on who I chose to believe, it would have gone up to either $65/mo or $75/mo if I added an iPad (plus an “activation fee”).

Here is what I signed up for and would be shockingly surprised and well "lied to" if my monthly bill states otherwise.

https://www.att.com/brand/apple/ipa...Ez4DbykyXbG958tF1hZvQoiV8rP8ycxhoCuCIQAvD_BwE

Click the link and you will see where it states that you get a 32G iPad for $99. What is not mentioned is that you can supersize to 128G for $199 (the usual $100 difference between devices). Also you have to sign up for data (as you mentioned). The data plan is $10 per month for 1 Gig. They also said (and tried hard to push) that I could add it to my unlimited phone plan for $20 per month (I gently declined because than I would be paying absurdly for the pad).

I don't usually opt for Cellular iPads but if you do all the number crunching (like I did; I am a data freak of sorts) then you will see that this deal gives me a cellular iPad with 2 years of data (1Gig/mth) for about the same cost that others are for paying for the cellular device out right.

Here are the key points and possible deal breakers

a) you have to set up a new line (which I happened to be in the need of)

b) the 2018 iPad is on contract and has an early termination fee of $150 (that diminishes by $4 per month over the life of the term)

c) you have to accept that 2018 iPad technology is no where near the best you can get (see Pro series, Surface pad, etc)

Honestly I don't see this as a huge deal. EXCEPT after all said and done; I get and iPhone SE for $150 and I come out better than anyone that buys an Ipad out right and then adds Cellular datas monthly cost.

but again....I am in the bed with AT&T for another 2 years and my history has proven that they are quit sparingly in their use of vaseline. You just kinda get use to it...right?

I am getting a deal but barely...Anyone around will probably say dude the SE is antiquated and the Pad 2018 will be soon....yeah I know ( I have 3 kids )

 

[rui no onna]

Here is what I signed up for and would be shockingly surprised and well "lied to" if my monthly bill states otherwise.

https://www.att.com/brand/apple/ipa...Ez4DbykyXbG958tF1hZvQoiV8rP8ycxhoCuCIQAvD_BwE

Click the link and you will see where it states that you get a 32G iPad for $99. What is not mentioned is that you can supersize to 128G for $199 (the usual $100 difference between devices). Also you have to sign up for data (as you mentioned). The data plan is $10 per month for 1 Gig. They also said (and tried hard to push) that I could add it to my unlimited phone plan for $20 per month (I gently declined because than I would be paying absurdly for the pad).

I don't usually opt for Cellular iPads but if you do all the number crunching (like I did; I am a data freak of sorts) then you will see that this deal gives me a cellular iPad with 2 years of data (1Gig/mth) for about the same cost that others are for paying for the cellular device out right.

Here are the key points and possible deal breakers

a) you have to set up a new line (which I happened to be in the need of)

b) the 2018 iPad is on contract and has an early termination fee of $150 (that diminishes by $4 per month over the life of the term)

c) you have to accept that 2018 iPad technology is no where near the best you can get (see Pro series, Surface pad, etc)

Honestly I don't see this as a huge deal. EXCEPT after all said and done; I get and iPhone SE for $150 and I come out better than anyone that buys an Ipad out right and then adds Cellular datas monthly cost.

but again....I am in the bed with AT&T for another 2 years and my history has proven that they are quit sparingly in their use of vaseline. You just kinda get use to it...right?

I am getting a deal but barely...Anyone around will probably say dude the SE is antiquated and the Pad 2018 will be soon....yeah I know ( I have 3 kids )

I have a 2017 Pro 12.9 and to be perfectly honest, I think the basic iPads are an excellent value. Moreso for you with the deal you got. I think even the A9-based iPad 5th gen would still be good for at least 2 years of use. Mobile hardware/software doesn't advance as fast as it used to.

 

[Boyd01]

Here is what I signed up for and would be shockingly surprised and well "lied to" if my monthly bill states otherwise.

Well if everything you say is true, that sounds like a good deal. Never looked closely at this offer because I don't need to upgrade my phone, which is all paid for (and wouldn't want an SE anyway). But AT&T's website is really confusing, and I would still be interested to hear exactly what is shown on your monthly statement when it arrives.

Enjoy the new phone and iPad.

 

[Alch3mist]

Well if everything you say is true, that sounds like a good deal. Never looked closely at this offer because I don't need to upgrade my phone, which is all paid for (and wouldn't want an SE anyway). But AT&T's website is really confusing, and I would still be interested to hear exactly what is shown on your monthly statement when it arrives.

Enjoy the new phone and iPad.

I'll be sure to check back in once the charges are billed.

BTW this deal is not exclusive to the iPhone SE. It covered most available iPhones. I just happened to be interested in the deal they were also offering for the SE ($5/mth) and the almost crazy ability for me to bundle them.

 

[thisismyusername]

Hello, it seems that similar to phone, one could get an iPad for free by signing up some kind of 1-2 year contract. Why people still buy iPad or iPP themselves?

Because it's not free and contracts suck.

 

[burgman]

Hello, it seems that similar to phone, one could get an iPad for free by signing up some kind of 1-2 year contract. Why people still buy iPad or iPP themselves?

Compare cost of the plan required over contract vs outright purchase, then math the crap out of it.

 

[phpmaven]

Would never buy another iPad without cellular now personally. Too useful when I need data on the go

Funny, The last few iPads I've bought have been wifi only. I'll never buy another cellular model. It's a waste of money when I can just tether off my phone when I need it. $130 cheaper and no data plan. At $10-$20 a month for data, that's an extra $250-$370 cost of ownership over 2 years.

 

[rui no onna]

Funny, The last few iPads I've bought have been wifi only. I'll never buy another cellular model. It's a waste of money when I can just tether off my phone when I need it. $130 cheaper and no data plan. At $10-$20 a month for data, that's an extra $250-$370 cost of ownership over 2 years.

For some of us, we use our iPads more than we do our phones so the convenience is worth the extra cost.

Consider this, how many people had data plans back in 2006? Fast forward to 2018, how many people are likely to give up their smartphones and (nearly) always available internet?

Before smartphones, my total family plan cost for 4 lines was $100 (inclusive of taxes) or ~$1200 per year. We even got new phones for free (well $10 upgrade fee) every 15-24 months. After everyone in the family switched to smartphones, that increased to $240/mo + $1200 upfront cost for devices ($200 + $100 storage upgrade per device) for an average of ~$3500 per year. Heck, even without the biennial iPhone upgrades that was still ~$2900 per year or ~$1700 more than the minutes only plans. The $10/mo for the iPad seems fairly tame in comparison to the initial switch to smartphones. Particularly so now that the $400/line 2-year contract subsidy isn't embedded into the plan cost of my grandfathered 20GB shared data plan. In lieu of frequent iPhone upgrades, I'd rather have an LTE iPad.

 

[phpmaven]

For some of us, we use our iPads more than we do our phones so the convenience is worth the extra cost.

Consider this, how many people had data plans back in 2006? Fast forward to 2018, how many people are likely to give up their smartphones and (nearly) always available internet?

Before smartphones, my total family plan cost for 4 lines was $100 (inclusive of taxes) or ~$1200 per year. We even got new phones for free (well $10 upgrade fee) every 15-24 months. After everyone in the family switched to smartphones, that increased to $240/mo + $1200 upfront cost for devices ($200 + $100 storage upgrade per device) for an average of ~$3500 per year. Heck, even without the biennial iPhone upgrades that was still ~$2900 per year or ~$1700 more than the minutes only plans. The $10/mo for the iPad seems fairly tame in comparison to the initial switch to smartphones. Particularly so now that the $400/line 2-year contract subsidy isn't embedded into the plan cost of my grandfathered 20GB shared data plan. In lieu of frequent iPhone upgrades, I'd rather have an LTE iPad.

I can't argue with your logic. If I used my iPad as my primary device whilst on the go, I would probably do the same.

 

[AJsAWiz]

Would never buy another iPad without cellular now personally. Too useful when I need data on the go

Which carrier and how much (monthly) do you pay for your data plan? Sounds like you find the data allowance acceptable.

Never mind, I saw the answers just after I posted this.